Global demand for critical minerals essential for clean energy technologies is expected to grow more than three-fold by 2030. For Africa – a continent rich in a variety of minerals – this highlights a strategic opportunity to bolster economic growth through mineral development. The upcoming Critical Minerals Africa (CMA) summit – scheduled for November 6-7 in Cape Town – will play a key role in exploring how Africa can not only increase mineral exploration and extraction, but also maximize value addition through local refining and manufacturing.

https://apo-opa.co/4eE5smW

Africa holds approximately two-thirds of global cobalt reserves, around 30% of lithium and significant shares of other critical minerals, including manganese, copper and iron ore. Leading mineral markets on the continent include the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), which contributes over 70% of global cobalt production; Gabon, ranking second in global manganese production; and Zambia, recognized as the largest exporter of unrefined copper globally. Additionally, Zimbabwe ranks as the world’s third-largest exporter of chromium ore and holds the largest lithium reserves in Africa.

Despite this substantial resource base, challenges persist in value addition and processing. Currently, China dominates the global mineral processing market, particularly in the production of lithium and cobalt. The country imported approximately $10 billion worth of minerals in 2019 from sub-Saharan Africa alone, underscoring the region’s reliance on foreign processing capabilities. While the DRC dominates cobalt mining globally, 60% of cobalt processing occurs in China, while in 2022, Zambia exported $6.6 billion in raw copper – most of which was sent to China.

https://apo-opa.co/4bjwInw

Recent developments, however, aim to reverse this trend, with an influx of infrastructure investments and the introduction of policies that support domestic processing capabilities. Last October, South African mining and minerals advisory firm Q Global Commodities partnered with investment firm F9 Capital Management to invest $1 billion in critical mineral production across southern and eastern Africa. The venture, targeting lithium, copper and nickel production, aims to develop new processing plants and logistics infrastructure.

https://apo-opa.co/4eMaQEy

From a policy standpoint, several African countries are implementing reforms aimed at encouraging local mineral processing and value addition. In 2023, Namibia and Zimbabwe banned the export of unprocessed lithium and other critical minerals, leveraging rising global demand for transition metals and minerals. Both countries aim to regulate these exports, with Namibia only allowing small quantities of the specified minerals with the approval of its Ministry of Mines and Energy, and Zimbabwe emphasizing local battery-grade lithium production from concentrates.

https://apo-opa.co/4eydoWH

Against this backdrop, a dedicated panel at CMA 2024 – Advanced Manufacturing, End Use and Supporting Infrastructure for Critical Minerals Consumption Across Africa – will explore strategies for enhancing value addition within the continent’s critical minerals sector. Additionally, the session will address the crucial role of supporting infrastructure in facilitating extraction, processing and distribution, as well as the impact of policy reforms in incentivizing new refining capabilities.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital&Power.

About CMA:
CMA is the largest gathering of critical mineral stakeholders in Africa. Taking place from November 6 – 7 in Cape Town, the event positions Africa as the primary investment destination for critical minerals. This year’s edition takes place under the theme Innovate, Enact, Invest in African Critical Minerals to Sustain Global Growth, connecting African mining projects and regulators with global investors and stakeholders to untap the full potential of the continent’s raw materials. Sponsors, exhibitors and delegates can learn more by contacting sales@energycapitalpower.com.

NBA Africa (www.NBA.com) and New Era Education, a Cairo-based educational services and school management company that seeks to bring high-quality educational institutions to Egypt to provide Egyptian students with the best possible education opportunities, today announced a multiyear collaboration for New Era Education to launch and operate the first NBA Basketball School in Africa. 

Located at Uppingham School Cairo, an international school in New Giza, Egypt, NBA Basketball School will launch in January 2025 for Uppingham School youth ages 5-18. The year-round, tuition-based basketball development program will cover on-court training, skill development and basketball education for all skill levels.

“The launch of Africa’s first NBA Basketball School is a significant milestone in our continued efforts to grow the game in Egypt and across the continent,” said Head of NBA Egypt Mohamed Abdel-motaleb Soliman. “This landmark initiative will provide Uppingham School Cairo students with the opportunity to learn the game the right way and progress their development under the guidance of NBA-selected coaches.”

“The collaboration with NBA Africa on the NBA Basketball School program underscores our dedication to providing youth with opportunities for growth and development, both on-and-off the court,” said New Era Education Board Chairman Dr. Tamer Tammam. “Through this initiative, our students and their families will access a world-class training program that fosters leadership skills and promotes overall personal growth.”

NBA Basketball School will build on the league’s previous initiatives in Cairo, including the last three Basketball Africa League Nile Conference group phases, Jr. NBA clinics for local youth, the 18th edition of Basketball Without Borders Africa, the launch of the NBA Egypt office in January 2023, and more.

The NBA Basketball School curriculum, which is designed to develop players and provide parents, coaches and organizations with a better understanding of the process of improvement, was created by the NBA’s International Basketball Operations department in consultation with current and former NBA coaches, players and player development specialists. Since 2017, NBA Basketball Schools have been launched in Australia, Brazil, China, the Dominican Republic, Greece, India, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Lithuania, Mexico, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Uruguay.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of National Basketball Association (NBA).

Contact:
Chumani Bambani
NBA Africa Communications
cbambani@nba.com
+27 65 548 1031

About NBA Africa:
NBA Africa is an affiliate of the National Basketball Association (NBA), a global sports and media organization with the mission to inspire and connect people everywhere through the power of basketball.  NBA Africa conducts the league’s business in Africa, including the Basketball Africa League (BAL), and has opened subsidiary offices in Cairo, Egypt; Dakar, Senegal; Johannesburg, South Africa; Lagos, Nigeria; and Nairobi, Kenya. The league’s efforts on the continent have focused on increasing access to basketball and the NBA through youth and elite development, social responsibility, media distribution, corporate partnerships, NBA Africa Games, NBA Stores, the BAL, and more. 

NBA games and programming are available in all 54 African countries, and the NBA has hosted three sold-out exhibition games on the continent since 2015.  The BAL, a partnership between the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) and NBA Africa, is a professional league featuring 12 club teams from across Africa concluded its fourth season in June 2024. Fans can follow @ NBA_Africa and @ theBAL on Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube.

“Telefanz” (www.Telefanz.com), the new social media platform for exciting, spontaneous, genuine videos and photos, was officially launched this June with the slogan ‘Social Media Made Better’. Competing with leading platforms like TikTok, “Telefanz” stands out with SocialFi features. It also features Approved&Verified Content Creators, original content, and a secure community, along with support for 17 languages.

Andrew George, Founder of “Telefanz”, emphasizes, “Telefanz users find inspiration and entertainment on a single, completely secure platform where genuine photos and videos are one scroll away.”

Anyone can easily have a Verified Account

Telefanz, which can be opened in seconds with Email, Google, or Apple Login, is a platform where users can search for category-based Content Creators and follow only the Creators that appeal to their interests. In addition, every user can easily request verification in his profile settings and apply to have a verified account without the requirement of a minimum number of Fanz (followers).

According to DataReportal insights, it is known that, in January 2024, estimates show that TikTok alone has 171 million users in the MENA region. On the other hand, according to Statista, 62.6 per cent of the global population, or 5.07 billion people, use at least one social media platform. “Telefanz” is the newest player in a market where adoption is high.

A fairer revenue model for Content Creators

Telefanz’ approved Content Creators can earn Coinzz, the currency of Telefanz, per post and through Livestreams. Users can also gift between 1 and 50,000 Coinzz to their favorite Creators. These currencies can be used on the Telefanz platform, and Creators can also convert the Coinzz they earn through Telefanz into real currency on the Telefanz website. Each 1,000 Coinzz earned corresponds to 5 US Dollars, which makes Telefanz offering Content Creators a 50 percent share, as opposed to 35 percent on other platforms. This means a fairer profit for Creators and which is considered among the important features that distinguish Telefanz from other social media platforms.

Telefanz has all the features that internet users are accustomed to from other social media platforms such as liking, sharing, commenting, light/dark mode, chat, livestreaming, notification history, profile creation, and hashtags.

“It’s time to see considerable changes in the Social Media World”

“It’s time to see considerable changes in the social media world” says Mr. Andrew George, emphasizing that Telefanz is a super secure platform. And adds: “It pays more attention to data security and moderation than any of its competitors. Every post is instantly checked before going live to make sure we keep a safe environment. Telefanz will connect users in a safe environment in addition to unlimited benefits to each user being a streamer, an influencer or just someone who loves to see interesting videos and photos.”

For more information about Telefanz, which can be downloaded from the App Store and Google Play Store, please visit www.Telefanz.com.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Telefanz.

Contact:
Lynn Khoury
support@telefanz.com

Rene Awambeng, Founder and Managing Partner at investment firm Premier Invest, will speak at this year’s African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energy conference (www.AECWeek.com) – scheduled for November 4-8 in Cape Town. Awambeng joins a strong slate of high-level speakers in Cape Town as the industry convenes to discuss strategies for making energy poverty history in Africa by 2030.

With over 125 billion barrels of proven crude oil reserves and 620 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, Africa’s hydrocarbon resources have the potential to bolster energy access and long-term economic growth. Yet, to achieve all of its energy-related goals, the continent requires over $200 billion in annual financing, highlighting a substantial investment gap. Institutions such as Premier Invest play an instrumental part in advising clients across the industry on financial and strategic matters, and during AEW: Invest in African Energy 2024, Awambeng will unpack emerging project opportunities in Africa as well as strategies in place for closing the financing gap.  

AEW: Invest in African Energy is the platform of choice for project operators, financiers, technology providers and government, and has emerged as the official place to sign deals in African energy. Visit www.AECWeek.com for more information about this exciting event.

Currently, Africa receives merely 5% of global energy investment, with access to funding gradually declining due to global shifts to renewable energy and macro-economic influencers. To address this financing challenge, Premier Invest offers a range of financial advisory services, supporting clients across the industry as they seek investment for small, medium and large-scale projects. Leveraging the firm’s depth of expertise across various industries and geographies, the company supports project development and financial insight. Beyond financing, Premier Invest provides advisory services related to strategic mergers and acquisitions (M&A). Partnering with public and private corporate clients, the company provides advice on all financial, strategic and tactical elements of evaluating and executing M&A transactions in Africa.

Africa is experiencing robust M&A activity across its oil and gas industry, owing largely to play-opening discoveries made in countries such as Namibia as well as new finds discovered in producing markets such as Angola. According to the African Energy Chamber’s (AEC) State of African Energy 2024 Outlook, M&A activity in Africa in 2023 reached a total transaction value of $3.2 billion. While this figure falls short of the transactions witnessed in previous years, in 2024, an upward trend of M&A activity is expected following the commercial success of offshore discoveries in southern and west Africa.

Specifically, Namibia has already seen a surge of M&A activity in 2024 following commercial success in the Orange Basin. Notable deals include Sintana Energy acquiring a stake in PEL 79; Azule Energy announcing its PEL 85 farm-in; Chevron acquiring a majority stake in PEL 82; and many more. Beyond Namibia, recent deals include the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company acquiring Galp Energias’ 10% interest in the Area 4 concession of Mozambique’s Rovuma basin in May 2024; TotalEnergies and QatarEnerg acquiring a majority stake in an exploration license in South Africa, and more. As Africa’s oil and gas market witnesses a surge in transactions, companies such as Premier Invest stand ready to support deals and projects.

“Africa cannot afford to keep its oil and gas resources in the ground and companies such as Premier Invest recognize this. Through its range of advisory services covering finance, M&A transactions, capital markets, restructuring and liability management and more, the firm is committed to supporting clients realize their goals in the African energy industry,” stated NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the AEC.

During AEW: Invest in African Energy 2024, Awambeng will take part in a series of panel discussions while engaging with a host of African energy leaders and global investors. Awambeng’s participation speaks to the caliber of AEW: Invest in African Energy as the premier event for the African energy industry and will strengthen dialogue surrounding project financing.  

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Week (AEW).